WELCOME TO OUR FOSTER FAMILY
Revised February 2, 2011
http://www.grr-tx.com/fp/fosterfamily.htm
Thank you so much for everything you do for our foster dogs! Regardless of your level of
involvement with the foster program, we want you to know that GRR would not exist
without you. All of us in GRR thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Even if you have
fostered before, please take a moment to read through the following basic information as
it will answer many common fostering questions.
FOSTER COORDINATOR (FC)
Each foster family is assigned a FC who is very experienced with the GRR
process. This FC should be your main contact for all fostering questions.
YOUR DOGS AND YOUR FOSTER DOG
Vaccinations: Your dogs should be current on all vaccinations, including
bordetella for kennel cough. If a medical conditions exist with the foster dog that
may affect your pets this will be discussed with you.
Dog Introductions: Your FC or other GRR volunteer can assist with dog
introductions. Here are the basics for good dog introductions:
1. Have the dogs meet on neutral ground, such as the street.
2. Take the dogs for a short walk so they get to know each other.
3. Have them go in the back yard while still on leash to slowly introduce the new
dog to the area and be observant of behavior.
4. If all goes well let the dogs enter the house.
Please realize that most dogs will work out their differences on their own. Be
aware of the difference between a dog putting another dog in his place by a look
or a quick growl, and actual aggressive behavior. If you notice what you believe
to be signs of aggression, please contact your Foster Coordinator as soon as
possible and discuss the situation. Your FC will help you distinguish between
aggressive and non-aggressive dog language.
IMPORTANT ! – FOSTER DOG VET CARE
 GRR USES SPECIFIC VET CLINICS.
 All vet visits must be pre-approved by the GRR Medical Director, and a “To-do
List” must be faxed to the vet’s office prior to your visit. Your FC will assist you
with getting this approval.
 GRR keeps a supply of medicines in stock, so please do not purchase any
medicines from the vet without approval by GRR.
 GRR will not reimburse foster families for any expenses incurred by
unauthorized visits to the vet. GRR will not reimburse foster families for
unauthorized vet work performed during an authorized vet visit. GRR will
not reimburse foster families for food purchased from a vet unless the
purchase was pre-approved.
 When your foster dog comes into care, your FC, the Intake Director, or the
Medical Director will contact you regarding the dog’s vet care. We use a number
of specific vet clinics in Austin, San Antonio, and outlying areas and your FC will
help find the closest approved veterinarian.
EMERGENCY CARE
 Know the location of the closest emergency vet clinic. Your FC can help with
this.
 Emergency visits must be pre-approved so use the Medical Emergency Phone
Tree in this document and posted on the http://www.grr-
tx.com/fp/fosterfamily.htm. Call until you reach someone in GRR to
talk to.
FOSTER DOGS ALREADY HAVE A NAME, and HAVE A GRR NUMBER
Your foster dog will be named when he arrives in your care. Do not change
your foster dog’s name. Changing a dog’s name creates confusion for the dog
AND the dog team, as records, spread sheets, vet work, etc., have all been set
up under the assigned name. Include the dog number and name on all foster
dog communications to GRR
MINIMUM LENGTH OF STAY IN FOSTER CARE
Foster dogs are kept in care for a minimum of 14 days to assess any behavior or
medical problems. This 14 day period starts upon the dog coming into GRR.
FOSTER REPORT AND UPDATES:
Foster report link: http://www.grr-tx.com/fp/fosterfamily.htm
Foster reports are used to document the behavior and medical issues of your
foster dog. They are read by many people in GRR. Please write as much detail
as you can. A foster report should be filled out after the first day you have your
foster so we can observe behavior and then every week or so. On any
documents or emails regarding your foster dog, please include the dog’s name
and GRR number so that the document can follow the correct foster dog.
MAY FOSTER FAMILIES ADOPT THEIR FOSTER DOG?
You certainly aren’t expected to adopt, but many foster families do fall in love
with one of their foster dogs and decide to keep him or her (and keep right on
fostering, too). The foster family always has the first option to adopt. We need to
know soon as the matching process starts when the dogs come into GRR. Keep
your FC informed.
Your FC will ask for your answer at two weeks. Once you tell us you DON’T want
to adopt, the matchmakers will proceed with matching your foster dog to a
forever home. If you change your mind, you must tell your FC and the
matchmakers immediately. However, if you have spoken to the potential family
and set up a meet, you must follow through with it (see below). If you decide to
adopt your foster and it is not already matched, you may adopt it.
WEB STORY AND PHOTOS
GRR foster dogs are posted on the GRR Adoption Page. Good photos and
touching stories generate interest in dogs and help greatly in helping them get
adopted. You know your foster dog the best so please write stories for the web
page, submit regular foster reports and send in lots of pictures. GRR has a team
of people that help with GRR adoption postings.
Stories should be emailed to: becky@grr-tx.com and your FC
Pictures should be emailed to: sydney@grr-tx.com
GETTING YOUR FOSTER DOG ADOPTED
The matchmakers and FC will help you through this process. Basically it goes
like this:
1. When the matchmaker identifies a possible adoptive home for your foster
dog, you will be forwarded the Home Visit Summary to see if you think the
family is a good match.
2. If they sound like a good match, the matchmakers call the proposed family
and your foster dog is discussed with them. If the family is interested in
meeting your foster dog, the matchmaker will ask you to give the family a call
and discuss your foster with them in detail (both good and bad points).
3. If the match looks promising you and your FC will receive a GRR Match
Email from a matchmaker with instructions to set up a meet, contract
information and any timing information such as when they could adopt (same
day, next day, etc). Discuss adoption timing with your FC as sometimes
timing is very short.
4. Once you get this Match Email set up a meet with the family and your foster
dog, keeping your FC and the matchmaker informed. Please notify your FC
at least 48 hours prior to the meet as they will need this much time to
prepare the adoption contract.
5. If they meet and fall in mushy love, then they can choose to adopt your foster.
Please remember: ALL family members (including dogs) of the potential
home for your foster dog MUST attend the meet. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
6. Important Note about this meet: If you have a funny feeling about a potential
adoptive family or just don’t feel that the match is “right,” even if the family is
eager to take the dog, BE SURE TO TELL THE MATCHMAKER ABOUT IT.
If you can’t reach her, call your Foster Coordinator.
Thanks for all that you do to help our GRR foster dogs!
Medical Emergency Phone Tree for GRR Foster Dogs:


1st
Foster Family should know the closest emergency clinic location.
FCs or Medical Director can help foster families with this.
Margo Biba, Medical Director
H 512-288-1587
C 512-699-3221
2nd
Jacki Mulkey, Intake Director
H 512-251-1272
C 512-350-6220
3rd
Becky LaBrum
H 512-453-6703
4th
Suzette Coen
H 512-847-5910
If none of the above then:
Any GRR Contact in this document.
(GRR board members are a good starting point.)
Foster Family
Webpage
Medical Needs
General Foster Family Quick Lookup Table
Forms and documents used by foster families:
http://www.grr-tx.com/fp/fosterfamily.htm
or
http://www.grr-tx.com/fp/forms.htm
Please request approval for ALL foster dog medical issues from:
Your Foster Coordinator and/or Medical Director
Medical
Emergency
Call contacts on the Medical Emergency Phone Tree until you
reach someone with GRR. The Medical Emergency Phone Tree
is posted:
http://www.grr-tx.com/fp/fosterfamily.htm
Foster Reports
Foster Dog
Website Posting
Respite Requests
Vet records
(include dog name and
GRR#)
Adoption Contract
Adoption Fee
(include dog name and
GRR#)
Know the location of the nearest emergency vet clinic.
Please submit regular foster reports using the form found on the
GRR Foster Family Webpage:
http://www.grr-tx.com/fp/fosterfamily.htm
or
http://www.grr-tx.com/fp/forms.htm
Email GRR Web stories for your foster dog to:
 becky@grr-tx.com
 copy your Foster Coordinator
 Email GRR website photos to: sydney@grr-tx.com
Requests for respite should be emailed to:
 Your Foster Coordinator
 respite@grr-tx.com
Please mail, email OR fax any foster dog vet records you may
have to:
 Hardcopy : Margo Biba 5819 Van Winkle Lane, Austin TX
78739-1669
 Email: margo@grr-tx.com and suzette@grr-tx.com
 MED FAX: Margo at 512-236-5319
Please mail the hard copy AND email the adoption contract to:
 Hardcopy: Reina Bernfeld, 11117 Bexley Lane, Austin, TX
78739
 Email: Suzette Coen, suzette@grr-tx.com
Mail the check for the adoption fee to:
Gold Ribbon Rescue
PO Box 956
Austin, TX 78767-0956
Helpful GRR Contact Information
Needs review
Intake Director
Jacki Mulkey
Jacki@grr-ttx.com
H 512-251-1272, C 512-350-6220
Nadene@grr-tx.com
H 512-467-8132, C 512-751-7749
Lisa@grr-tx.com
H 512-259-4626, C 512-639-3889
Meg@grr-tx.com
H512-329-5515, C 512-217-8855
jeanae@grr-tx.com
H 210-679-0006, C 210-385-8705
pcapin@embarqmail.com
H 254-698-2150, C 254-698-5117
augaprietta@juno.com
H 512-365-5582, C 512-923-2203
Foster Director
Nadene Morning
Intake Team Member
Lisa Garanflo
Intake Team Member
Meg Brown
Intake Team Member – SAT
Jeanae Jensen
Intake Team - Foster List
Pat Capin
Respite Coordinator
Vicky Hastings
(will be resigning)
Medical Director, GRR Board
Margo Biba
Medical Supplies, GRR Board
Emily Tuczkowski
Medical: Microchip Coordinator
Sandy Balch
sandybalch@gmail.com
H 512-656-2387
Matchmaking Director, GRR Board
Susie Schaffer
Matchmaker
Paula Ellis
Matchmaker
Donna Larson
Matchmaker
Sheila Thomas
Matchmaker – Backup, GRR Board
Tracy Wencka
Susie@grr-tx.com
H 512-343-1893, C 512-850-8146
Paula@grr-tx.com
H 512-264-1926, C 512-751-8384
Donna@grr-tx.com
H/C 210-481-2451
Sheila@grr-tx.com
H 512-288-5312, C 512-633-3477
Tracy@grr-tx.com
H 210-566-6331, C 210-884-7625
Adoption Director, GRR Board
Kathy Simmons
Kathys@grr-tx.com
H 210-681-9118, C 210-215-9248
Website Dog Postings Coordinator
Becky LaBrum
Becky@grr-tx.com
H 512-453-6703
Margo@grr-tx.com
H 512-288-1587, C 512-669-3221
Emily@grr-tx.com
H 512-794-0513, C 512-658-5110